Centennial Commission (1947) Parade planning records

Historical Note

Scope and Content

This series is made up of records used in organizing and carrying out centennial street pageants or parades presented in Salt Lake City on July 23 and 24, 1947. The parades depicted various phases in the history of Utah from the early arrival of the first white people to the various activities and business industries in the State to date. Included is information about two other centennial parades in Salt Lake City, the Posse Parade (July 14) and Governors Parade (July 15), as well as the Centennial Commission's entry of a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California (January 1).

Records reflect three phases--advance planning and preparation, parade day logistics, and follow-up. The various elements of advance planning and preparation include a preliminary survey (float ideas), proposed budget, the development of which floats to include, arranging for float construction and sponsors, costume planning, identifying and inviting bands to participate, parade rules (float specifications and policies), entry form, participation agreement or contract, and brochures from booking agents. Parade day logistics involve instructions to participants, order of assembly, reviewing stand passes and seating charts, official car list, personnel/responsibilities and assignments. Follow-up matters involve float disposal, payment, thank you notes, and correspondence from the Tournament of Roses committee inviting the commission to again participate in 1948 Tournament of Roses parade.

Arrangement

Alphabetical by subject

Research Note

Contents of a three-ring binder labeled "Parade Floats and Costume Plots, Fairfax Proudfit Walkup," are included. Mrs. Walkup, dean of the School of the Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse Association, and a member of the Pageant Committee of the Arts Division, was employed to design parade costumes. The Utah Historical Society collection of 1947 Pioneer Centennial Photos includes black and white and color shots of floats, the centennial queen and court, dignitaries, posse riders, marching bands, and spectators at the various parades.

Related Records

Centennial event programs, press books, and advertisements from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 2227, include a copy of the Official Centennial Souvenir program for the Centennial Street Pageant.

Reports from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 2228, include updates, summaries of parades, and an accounting of parade expenditures.

Division correspondence and subject files from the Centennial Commission (1947), Series 19317, include correspondence of the parade committee.

Custody History

Records of the Centennial Commission originally were deposited with the Utah Historical Society, which in 1949 was designated by Governor J. Bracken Lee as the official repository for the records of the commission. The newly independent Utah State Archives retained custody of the records following its removal from the Historical Society in 1969.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Processing Note

Archival processing of these records was completed in June 1998 by W. Glen Fairclough, Jr. Microfilming of these records for research use was completed in June 2004.

Indexing Terms

Utah—Centennial celebrations, etc.

Utah—Parades.

Container List

REEL

BOX

FOLDER

DESCRIPTION

1

1

1

Bands; list of bands to be invited; invitation; agreement or contract; thank you letter sent with payment; report of final payment to bands

Miscellaneous; correspondence; parade participants; instructions; unit numbers; order of assembly; report of parades; list of parade personnel; list of authorized people invited into restricted area; schedule of events for the San Diego Marine Corps Base Band and Drill Team

Parade floats and costume plots binder (Fairfax Proudfit Walkup); parade floats and costume plots; line of parade (holographic notes); list of high school bands extended invitations, contracts to be signed and returned; list of bands to be contacted; suggested floats for centennial parade; two great centennial parades